Senate Bill 15-258 Summary

• Enacts the "Colorado Electric Consumers' Protection Act" requiring coordinated review of any proposed state plan for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by Colorado electric utilities.

• Mandates Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) review of proposed CO2 emission reduction plans to determine impacts on electricity rates, reliability, and the state economy before submission to the EPA.

• Requires PUC decision to be accompanied by a report assessing effects on rates, reliability, and Colorado's economy relative to specified factors including cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and impacts on low-income consumers.

• Makes approval by both chambers of the General Assembly via joint resolution (majority vote required) a prerequisite before any state plan can be submitted to the EPA.

• Allows one revised version of a rejected plan to be resubmitted for PUC evaluation and General Assembly approval if either chamber fails to approve the initial joint resolution.

• Appropriates $112,083 to the Department of Public Health and Environment, $14,177 to the Department of Law, and $200,000 to the Department of Regulatory Agencies for fiscal year 2015-16 to implement the act.